Passion boss bids to tackle anti-social behaviour issue
‘Want to help bridge gap between young and elderly’
PASSION youth centre in Shepshed has appointed a new youth worker to take over its reigns.
Vicky Gould has been appointed to the role of manager and is no stranger to the work at Passion as she has been a volunteer at the centre on and off for eight years before taking on the new role.
Based in The Bull Ring, the centre is for young people aged between 11 and 18-years-old, and was established by Churches Together in Shepshed in 2009.
The youth worker post is funded by the Dicoese of Leicester and had been vacant since August 2017 when the previous centre manager Emily Sharman left, leaving volunteers to keep the centre open in some capacity.
Vicky said that she was relishing the new challenge and having had a couple of months to assess what her plans are for Passion is enjoying her role.
“I have a mental health background along with working in schools as a teaching assistant. I am very passionate about young people being given a second chance as tomorrow is always another day.
“We have issues in Shepshed at the moment with a certain number of young people that is cause for concern but can be sorted with the correct intervention.
“The major project is bringing the young people and community together to allow the young people to have a voice. Youngsters get bored and get into trouble.”
It is dealing with the problems of anti-social behaviour that is at the forefront of Vicky’s immediate plans and she has been working with the Leicestershire County Council IMPACT team in a bid to tackle it.
“I want to help bridge the gap between the young and elderly in the community so they understand each other more and can find some common ground. Some of the children involved in anti social behaviour need role models.
“Throughout the summer I will be at Glenmore and Oakley parks dependent on need with outdoor equipment for rounders and football and juice giving the youngsters something to do but also be there to advise if their behaviour gets out of hand in the early evening.”
Vicky also appealed for more volunteers to come forward and help the Passion team, which currently opens the youth club in the Bull Ring on a Thursday and Sunday and reinstated its Friday evening sessions last week (August 3).
“I am the only paid member of staff and it goes without saying that although I front Passion it would not function without the whole team. We are always looking for more volunteers to join us. You have to be over 18 and be able to clear a DBS check that we sort so there is no financial outlay. Volunteering is very fulfilling and what better way of connecting with the next generation.”
If you can help the club by volunteering, please contact admin@passion-shepshed.co.uk or call 07960 861611.